Scorekeeping Wristband for Sports Games

ABSTRACT

A scorekeeping wristband allows the user to track the points scored in a pick-up basketball game. The wristband is similar in structure and function to a sports wristband, but provides a scorekeeping function. The user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team&#39;s score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is also provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device. The application employs consensus scoring, such that the input from a majority of multiple wristband users may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/205,741, filed Aug. 17, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to athletic equipment and in particular to a scorekeeping wristband. Sports wristbands such as Fitbit® are growing rapidly in popularity. These are powered by rechargeable batteries like smartphones, but provide various types of support for athletic activities such as providing stopwatch and pedometer functions, tracking the wearer's pulse rate, and serving as a conventional digital watch. Unfortunately, the designers of sports wristbands have overlooked the need to keep score in team sports, such as a pick-up basketball game. Such informal games rarely have referees or any support staff, so players must keep score; but the intensely competitive nature of many pick-up games demands accurate, reliable scorekeeping.

A search of the prior art reveals various scoring systems which have been developed. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory in its own way.

Hoop tracker, U.S. Pat. No. 8,845,461 (priority Sep. 1, 2010), provides a wireless shot tracking system for basketball games and practice sessions, including a programmable electronic unit that is in electrical communication with a shot detector for automatically tracking and displaying real-time shooting percentages of basketball players during basketball shooting sessions. The tracking system further provides a telescoping pole for mounting the shot detector to a basketball rim from the ground. The programmable electronic unit provides a program mode, a play mode, a review mode and a random mode to help improve the shooting skills of a basketball player from different shooting locations on a basketball court. The shot detector includes one or more vibration sensors to detect missed shots, and an activator that extends along a horizontal axis in a central region of the basketball hoop to detect made shots. The programmable electronic unit interfaces with a computer via a USB port for uploading or downloading program updates or shooting session data.

Basketball sensing apparatus, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US2014/0222177 (priority Nov. 9, 2012), provides an apparatus including a non- transitory computer-readable medium to direct a processor to: receive signals indicating a made basketball shot or a missed basketball shot of a basketball by a person during a basketball shooting session, receive signals indicating a location from which each made basketball shot is made, and determine and output a user cumulative score for the person for the basketball shooting session, the cumulative score being based upon the location of each made basketball shot.

Real-time wireless sensor scoring, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US2006/0160639 (priority Jan. 14, 2005), provides mechanisms and methods for measuring basketball shooting performance. These mechanisms and methods for measuring shooting performance make it possible for coaches and players to obtain information they need to measure levels of play, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet game situations and team requirements, and make decisions on player roles.

Multifunctional basketball game monitoring unit, U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,977 (priority Jan. 5, 1989) provides a basketball game monitoring unit capable of sensing shots attempted and shots made in normal play, and shots attempted and shots made from a spot location, and further adjusting the score for the time a player remains in the air when shooting from the spot location; the unit acting to calculate, store, and display total time in play, total score, total percent of baskets made of total baskets attempted and total score shooting from the spot location for each of two backboard hoop assemblies.

Electronic score indicator, Chinese Patent No. CN201454012 (filed Apr. 22, 2009), provides an electronic score indicator, which comprises a transmitter device and a receiver device. Wireless communication modules are arranged in the transmitter device and the receiver device. The wireless communication module in the transmitter device is connected with the wireless communication module in the receiver device in a signaling way. The utility model has the advantages that the installation is simple and the carrying is convenient.

Intelligent basketball scoring system, Chinese Patent No. CN104248836 (filed Jun. 29, 2013), provides an intelligent basketball scoring system, which comprises a central processing unit, an electronic scoring plate, a plurality of cameras and an optical sensing sensor, wherein the cameras are arranged around a court, the optical sensing sensor is arranged on a basket, a microprocessor is arranged in the central processing unit, and the electronic scoring plate, the cameras and the optical sensing sensor are all electrically connected with the microprocessor. The intelligent basketball scoring system has the advantages that a 3D (three-dimensional) simulation dynamic model can be built in the microprocessor arranged in the central control device according to the collected multi-angle video information, sportsmen and a basketball on the court are shown in the 3D simulation dynamic model like 3D games, the goal state is determined according to the optical sensing sensor arranged on the basket, in addition, the goal scores are accurately determined according to the 3D simulation dynamic model, the intelligence degree is high, and the score judgment is accurate, so a referee can pay more attention to the illegality conditions on the court, and the competition fairness is improved.

Prior art inventions generally provide some sort of electronic scoring system for a basketball game or shooting session, but the components of the system are not portable and represent a substantial monetary investment. The present invention has been developed for the purpose of addressing and resolving the disadvantages of the prior art inventions. A scorekeeping wristband, which enables the user to keep score while playing the game and transmits the scoring to a smartphone application, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a scorekeeping wristband. The wristband is similar in structure and function to a sports wristband, but provides a scorekeeping function for pick-up basketball games. The user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team's score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device. The application employs consensus scoring, such that the input from a majority of multiple wristband users may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring buttons 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring buttons 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, and the flexible band 14.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment, displaying the wristband 10, the body 11, the scoring button 12, the scoring display 13, and the flexible band 14.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the wristband system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a scorekeeping wristband 10.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a wristband 10, which is similar in structure and function to a conventional sports wristband such as the Fitbit® Flex™, but provides a scorekeeping function for pick-up basketball games.

The front surface 11A of the body 11 of the wristband 10 provides a digital scoring display 13. The digital scoring display 13 provides a visiting team score 30 displayed next to the letter “V” 31 and the home team score 32 displayed next to the letter “H” 33. Scoring buttons 12A and 12B are provided next to each team's score (30 and 32), and the user may update each team's score by pressing the corresponding scoring button 12A or 12B. By pressing the scoring button 12A or 12B and holding it down, the user may subtract points which were erroneously added. The letter “V” can also be located on the button 12B so that when the button 12B is pushed a point is added to the visitors score 30. The letter “H” can also be located on the button 12A so that when the button 12A is pushed a point is added to the home score 32.

The user may quickly add points as they are scored to each team's score, such that the score may be easily kept while participating in the game. A mobile application is also provided, enabling the user to transmit and update the score to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device where the user has installed the application.

The fatigue and speed of play inherent in basketball games may introduce the possibility of an inaccurate score whenever a single user serves as the scorekeeper. Thus multiple users of the wristband 10 are encouraged to keep score in each game. The application employs consensus scoring, such that the input from a majority of the users of the wristband 10 participating in the game may be relied upon as an accurate score for the game. Each field goal, free throw, or other scoring entered by a user is not recorded as part of the official score by the application until a clear majority of all users has recorded the points.

The body 11 is secured on the user's wrist by a flexible band 14, which is affixed to each end of the body 11 by a small, low-profile clamp. The flexible band 14 provides only a small degree of elasticity, such that the wristband 10 does not slip off of the user's wrist during a game. The flexible band 14 is provided in a broad range of sizes and colors.

Preferably, the wristband 10 is water resistant and shock resistant, and is powered by a rechargeable battery. The rear surface of the body 11 provides a socket 35 for a removable recharging cord, which is provided, and may be plugged into a Universal Service Bus (USB) port on another device to recharge the battery.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may elect to synchronize the wristband 10 with the mobile application. If multiple users synchronize their wristbands 10 with the same application, the application uses consensus scoring for the game. The user touches his or her wrist to activate the wristband 10. Each user may add points to score of each team by pressing the corresponding scoring button 12A or 12B.

The body 11 and the clamps are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which are substantially waterproof, such as steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, and malacrylate. The flexible band 14 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material such as silicone, rubber, or plastic.

In a second exemplary embodiment the wristband 10 provides only a single scoring button 12A. The single scoring button 12A is located on the top edge 11C of the body 11. A power button 40 is also provided on the top edge 11C of the body 11. The second exemplary embodiment still provides a digital scoring display 13. The digital scoring display 13 shows the “home” score and the “visitor” score. The digital scoring display may also display the username of the player as well as the time left in the game.

When multiple users synchronize their wristbands 10 to the mobile application they are assigned usernames as well as teams. Each player from a scoring team then presses the single scoring button 12A on their wristband 10. Each wristband is associated with either the “home” team or the “visitor” team and the point is distributed accordingly when a consensus of the players for that team have hit the scoring button 12A. The digital scoring display 13 then adds the point to the appropriate team and the proper score is displayed on all player's wristbands 10.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A scorekeeping wristband, comprising: a. a body having a front surface; b. said front surface providing a digital scoring display; c. said digital scoring display including a visiting team score and a home team score; d. a scoring button; e. said scoring button being configured to add a point to either the visiting team score or the home team score when pressed; f. a flexible band; and g. both ends of the flexible band being connected to opposite ends of the body forming a loop such that the wristband can be worn securely around a wrist.
 2. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein said scoring button is configured to add a point to the home team score when pressed and further comprising a second scoring button; said second scoring button being configured to add a point to the visiting team score.
 3. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, further comprising: a letter “V” next to the visiting team score and a letter “H” next to the home team score.
 4. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 2, wherein a letter “H” is located on the first scoring button such that when the first button with the letter “H” is pressed a point is added to the home team score; the letter “V” is located on the second button such that when the second button with the letter “V” is pressed a point is added to the visitor team score.
 5. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 4, wherein by pressing the first scoring button and holding it down, a point is subtracted from the home team score; by pressing the second scoring button and holding it down, a point is subtracted from the visiting team score.
 6. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is water resistant.
 7. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is shock resistant.
 8. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is powered by a rechargeable battery.
 9. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 8, wherein the body provides a socket for a removable recharging cord; such that a charging cord may be plugged into said scorekeeping wristband and said rechargeable battery can be charged.
 10. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein the user touches the digital display to activate the wristband.
 11. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 1, wherein a power button is provided to activate the wristband.
 12. A scorekeeping wristband, comprising at least one wristband and a mobile application: said at least one wristband comprising: a. a body having a front surface; b. said front surface providing a digital scoring display; c. said digital scoring display including a visiting team score and a home team score; d. a scoring button; e. said scoring button being configured to add a point to either the visiting team score or the home team score when pressed; f. a flexible band; and g. both ends of the flexible band being connected to opposite ends of the body forming a loop such that the wristband can be worn securely around a wrist; said mobile application comprising: h. a mobile application being configured to synch with one or more scorekeeping wristbands; i. said mobile application receiving data from said wristbands when scores are recorded.
 13. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein more than one wristband is synched with the mobile application; each wristband is assigned to either a home team or a visiting team; and wherein said wristbands are configured to add a point to the team to which they are assigned when the scoring button is pressed.
 14. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein said scoring button is configured to add a point to the home team score when pressed and further comprising a second scoring button; said second scoring button being configured to add a point to the visiting team score when pressed.
 15. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein if more than one scorekeeping wristband is synched with the mobile application, the mobile application records the home score and the visitor score from each scorekeeping wristband to determine a consensus score for the visitor score and the home score.
 16. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is water resistant.
 17. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is shock resistant.
 18. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the scorekeeping wristband is powered by a rechargeable battery.
 19. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 16, wherein the body provides a socket for a removable recharging cord; such that a charging cord may be plugged into said scorekeeping wristband and said rechargeable battery can be charged.
 20. The scorekeeping wristband of claim 11, wherein the user touches the digital display to activate the wristband. 